“A National Coming Out Worship Service” at Presbyterian College

I learned that Presbyterian College is sponsoring a celebration of depravity tomorrow: “A National Coming Out Worship Service.” Promoting the service is an image of a cross with the words “In the Image of God” above the horizontal beam. The implication, it seems, is that homosexuality is beautiful, good, and God-blessed, that homosexuals as homosexuals reflect the image of God.

The apostle Paul, of course, would have a different perspective.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. (Romans 1:26-28)

The difference between first-century Christians and professing Christians represented by the sponsors of the coming out worship service is this: first-century Christianity was counter-cultural. Christians lovingly confronted the sin of their culture and pointed people to Christ, who is always ready to receive repentant sinners. Professing Christians of the twenty-first century who affirm homosexuality are conditioned by and conform to their culture. They stand in judgment over the Scriptures, picking and choosing what to believe. First-century Christians and those who follow their example suffer persecution. Twenty-first century professing Christians who affirm sinners in their sin will be loved by their culture, but they will find themselves under the judgment of the God whom they claim to worship. One cannot condone what God condemns with impunity.

May God be pleased to grant repentance to those caught in the scourge of homosexuality, and may those who, in the name of God, affirm sinners in their sin repent of their leading others further from God.

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:25-26)